MJF Images Fine Art landscape, nature and travel images from the American West and around the world.

The lower Russian River runs brown with silt during winter on the northern California Coast.

A year has ended, and a new one begun. I spent the night on the banks of the Russian River, listening to its irresistible push to the nearby Pacific Ocean. Just before midnight I took the top photo. The moon and stars shine over the Russian, its waters brown with winter runoff.

The Russian River flows peacefully toward the Pacific Ocean in northern California on a misty winter morning.

Then in the morning I woke to mysterious fog lying on the river. Rousting myself, I walked along the river toward its mouth, where clear, cold air and the mighty Pacific greeted me. I found a half-empty champagne bottle from the previous night’s celebration.

A half-empty champagne bottle is all that is left of New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Russian River in the background.

Flocks of birds rose into the air as the sun hit the rocks that mark the River’s meeting with the ocean.

A flock of gulls takes flight in early morning light on the Mendocino Coast of California.

I let the waves wash over my feet, despite the frigid air, and the cobwebs of the year that passed cleared away. I looked out onto the crystalline coast, and felt a fresh breeze hit my face. It was a New Year!

A photo & travel blog with a difference: Instead of strict focus on photo how-to, gear and the like, I'll pass on knowledge about the places and cultures photographed. I believe the more deeply you come to know a place, the better your pictures will be.

My past careers as science teacher and geologist mean that I can't help but teach about the natural history of photogenic places around the world. But photography is not forgotten. You'll also see practical tips about where and how to photograph the destinations. And once a week, Friday Foto Talk gives photography tips and how-to on a selected topic, for novices on up to expert.

What you won't find here is endless discussion about me braving dangerous weather, terrain or wild animals to get the shot. Nor will there be cheerleading gear talk or marketing pitches. I promise to leave that to other blogs, of which there are many.

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